St. Charles police warn of scams

ST. CHARLES – Electronics delivered to two St. Charles residences in the past week are believed to be cases of identity theft, the St. Charles Police Department said Monday.

And it’s “very likely” other city residents could receive a similar package, police spokesman Paul McCurtain said.

Both packages were addressed to the residents, but they did not order the items – an Apple MacBook laptop and an iPhone, McCurtain said.

The residents contacted the company that shipped the merchandise and determined someone had established a new line of credit in their names, he said.

Police noted the residents did not authorize the lines of credit, which appeared to be opened this month.

McCurtain said police believe the suspect or suspects planned to intercept the delivery and collect the packages before the residents got home from work. The residents, however, were home for the UPS delivery and reportedly found the items soon afterward.

McCurtain said the residents made arrangements to return the items, which were ordered online, before calling the authorities.

Police, however, encourage citizens to immediately call 911 if they get a package they didn’t order, McCurtain said.

This way, police can start their investigation sooner and possibly conduct surveillance on the item.

Police do not know where the residents’ personal information was obtained, McCurtain said.